In this special episode, we honor the 51st anniversary of the Battle of Versailles, a groundbreaking moment in Black fashion history that took place on November 28, 1973. Filmmaker Deborah Riley-Draper joins us to discuss her acclaimed documentary Versailles '73, which brought this iconic event to life on screen. Draper shares how this historic fas…

In this episode, Taniqua Martin sits down with the dynamic sisters Essie Brew-Hammond and Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, founders of the luxury brand Exit 14! Dive into their journey, discover the inspiration behind their choice of Batakari fabric, and learn about the meaning of Exit 14 and its tagline, "tailored for your journey." Exit 14 blends traditio…

In this episode of Black Fashion History, host Taniqua Martin sits down with Charlene Dunbar, the brilliant mind behind Suakoko Betty! From engineering to fashion design, Charlene's journey is a true inspiration. She shares her love for African fashion, the importance of cultural representation, and how African designers can benefit from the global…

In this episode, Taniqua Martin chats with fashion professor Ntebo Lepheana to explore the rich traditions and style history of the Basotho people. Ntebo shares how Basotho cultural heritage has shaped her perspective on fashion and how she brings this unique lens to her work in the classroom. She discusses iconic Basotho garments like the Seanamar…

In this episode of Black Fashion History, host Taniqua Martin sits down with fashion journalist Elvis Kachi to explore his journey into the fashion industry and his mission to tell authentic African fashion stories. They dive into the unique elements of African fashion, the challenges of getting these stories published, and the need for diverse sto…

In this episode of Black Fashion History, Taniqua Martin dives into a powerful conversation with Beatrace Angut Oola, the visionary founder of Fashion Africa Now. Beatrace shares her inspiring journey of decolonizing the fashion industry, challenging Western-centric norms, and elevating African voices. Don't miss this transformative discussion on r…

Dive into the world of African fashion with Jacqueline Brown in this episode of the Black Fashion History Podcast! From her British-Jamaican roots to her pioneering role with Africa Fashion Guide, Jacqueline discusses the diversity in African fashion and shares her passion for textiles and sustainable fashion. Discover how she navigates ethical cha…

In this episode, Taniqua Martin interviews Tosin Adeosun, the brilliant mind behind the African Style Archive! Discover Tosin's own style journey, her deep dive into African fashion history, and how she's preserving this rich cultural heritage. Learn about the pioneers of African fashion and the importance of documenting these vibrant stories. For …

In this episode of the Black Fashion History, Taniqua Martin sits down with Ken Kweku Nimo, an author and expert in African fashion and material culture. From Ghana to South Africa, Ken shares his inspiring journey, discussing how his experiences have shaped his unique perspective on African fashion history. Dive into the impact of colonization, th…

In this special Black History Month episode, Taniqua speaks with Linda Ann Dixon about the legacy of her great grandmother Ann Lowe.Black Fashion History

Dorothea Towles Church spent over five years in Europe during the 1950s, modeling for designers like Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Robert Piguet, Jacques Fath, Pierre Balmain and more. As the first Black woman to model for major European fashion houses, Church used her gifts and access to help othe black women learn about the fashion industry …

Donyale Luna is the first Black supermodel to appear on a Vogue magazine cover, yet not much is known about her as a barrier breaking model. Taniqua recaps the recent HBO documentary on the life of Donyale Luna. Share you thoughts here. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudellTaniqua Martin

In 1966, Rosemary E. Reed-Miller followed her interest in fashion and opened Toast and Strawberries,a boutique overlooking Dupont Circle. When Toast and Strawberries opened, she was the only Black woman boutique owner in DC at the time. In this episode, Taniqua dives into her life and career in fashion. Black Fashion Spotlight: Project Runway Winne…

Audrey Weaver is a designer that creates hand-crafted artisan scarves and hats & accessories located in the New York City area. Over the past years, she has received editorial credits for her designs in publications such as The New York Times, Essence Magazine, Glamour, and Women’s Wear Daily as well as being featured in The Oprah Winfrey Show, Cra…

Fashion shows have a deep rooted history in Black American culture. While we didn’t invent fashion shows, we have surely used them to celebrate our beauty, support our causes, make political statements and so much more. In this episode, Taniqua shares a brief overview of the history of these shows in Black communities and how it's impacted the cult…

Many people know Ann Lowe as the designer of gowns for America's most prominent society women, including Jacqueline Kennedy. Winterthur Museum is marking the legacy of Ann Lowe with the largest exhibition of her work to date, featuring 40 iconic gowns, many that have never been on public display. The exhibition will also feature the work of contemp…

Gettin’ Free! : A Juneteenth Collaboration brought to you by Sistas Who Kill: A True Crime Podcast. We know that history is told from the side of the victors, but that leaves room for misinformation and false narratives. We are on a mission to change that. 11 Black podcasts have come together to reclaim our history and tell it our way - flavor and …

Not many people can claim being one of the great artists of the Harlen Renaissance, personal jeweler of Billie Holiday and the first Black woman to take over the jewelery and art industry in America. Taniqua digs into the life and career of Winifred Mason Chenet, the first Black commercial jewleler in the US and the mentor of many anazing artisans,…

With 2023 being the 50th anniversary year for hip hop, it was only right to begin the year with an appreciation for hip hop fashion. Taniqua highlights three streetwear brands that shaped hip hop culture in the late 80s and 90s. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Epsiode Sources/Further Reading: www.blackfashionhistory.com/…

In this episode, Taniqua delves a little further into Atlanta Fashion History sharing the career of designer and couturier Ann Jewel Moore and her famous Ubiquisix garment. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Episode Sources/Further Reading: https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/episodes/52-how-fashion-designer-ann-moore-built…

In this episode, Taniqua delves into Atlanta Fashion History and shares the lives and careers of Lilian B. Head and Mae Reeves, two Georgia-born Black women who created couture headwear beginning in the 1940s. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Episode Sources/Further Reading: https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/episodes/51…

Dandyism or the dandy style is defined as a man who pays great attention to fashion and overall appearance. The modern practice of this style first appeared in the 1970s in London and Paris. However, Black communities around the world, like the Sapeurs and sapeuse of the Congo and the rude boys of Jamaica, adopted this style and made it what it is …

Models like Donyale Luna, Pat Cleveland, Beverly Johnson and more paved the way for models today. In episode 49 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses Black models accomplished many "firsts" and changed the fashion industry. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to r…

Liberian model Yahne Sangare covered the June 1967 issue of Jet magazine where she was named "Africa's Famous Model." In episode 48 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses how Liberian journalist, model, designer and UN correspondent broke into fashion and the influence of African models on the industry. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodc…

In episode 47 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses the Basic Black fashion show of 1969 and its impact on fashion history. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Episode sponsor: Visit ofuure.com and use code BLACKFASHIONHISTORY for 10% off And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the sh…

Originally from Boston, MA where she got her start in fashion, Therez started designing clothes at the age of 12 and sold her first dress on the famed Newbury Street at the age of 15. This was quite an accomplishment at that age as Newbury Street was home to Giorgio Armani, Chanel, and Diane Von Furstenberg, just to name a few. Therez moved to New …

Cassandra Bromfield began her fashion career in the 1980’s. Simultaneously working for herself, Ms. Bromfield also worked freelance for a number of years with Audrey Smaltz and the Ground Crew. That company did backstage management for fashion shows which included 7th on 6th, Fashion Week, MTV and more. Her signature style includes patchworked fabr…

Shaka King has made a strong impression in the fashion industry since 1991. He's designed for countless athletes, artists and more. He has been praised by both national and international press. Fairchild Publications-Daily News Record, the New York Times, VIBE, Essence and E! are just a few of the media outlets that have hailed King as a pioneer of…

Lisa McFadden is a New York City designer with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She was critiqued by French couturier Pierre Cardin who, upon seeing her student work, said she was a designer who 'knows her job'. Her headpieces entitled ‘Golden Child’ and ‘Bird of Paradise’ have been displayed with the group at the Metropolitan M…

With over two decades of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, New Jersey native Douglas Says is often referred to as "one of the most important, yet under-exposed designers around.” Listen to his story. Follow us: @blackfashionhistorypodcast And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the show. We love hear…

Tainqua discusses four (4) vintage Black magazines that provided fashion and style inspiration from the 1950’s to the 2000s. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the show. We love hearing your feedback! #BlackFashionHistory…

Professor Adrienne Jones holds the honor of being the first Black woman to achieve tenured professor status at Pratt Institute. Jones has taught in the Fashion Design department at Pratt for over 25 years. In 2014, Professor Jones conceived and co-curated the landmark exhibition Black Dress, which honors Black designers and addresses the lack of di…

Tony Dennis, co-founder of Tote&Carry, is affectionately known as “The Stitch Doctor” or “Stitch” for his decades-long career “stitching” custom, quality fashion pieces for high profile clients. The popular designer, who stitched his first items using a worn-out sewing machine in his basement in 1992, has amassed nearly 30 years of experience. With…

Carol Collins Miles is a supermodel, musician and restaurateur. She is one of the original members of Hubert de Givenchy’s all Black Cabine in the 1970s, the collection of Black models that ushered in an era of diversity and the first time a French couturier had this many Black models in its mainstay. She’s also modeled for other designers like The…

Beau McCall is a creative artist most known for his use of buttons. Drawing inspiration from the vast button collection of his mother and aunts, he crafts wearable and visual art images combining various types of buttons. McCall uses his art to communicate themes from pop culture to social justice. Taniqua speaks with Beau McCall about some of his …

Coreen Simpson began her career as a photojournalist and became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion Collections in Paris and New York. Her images have appeared in Vogue, Essence, Ms. Magazine, Paris Match, The New York Times, The Village Voice and numerous books and periodicals. She began designing an…

Coreen Simpson began her career as a photojournalist and became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion Collections in Paris and New York. Her images have appeared in Vogue, Essence, Ms. Magazine, Paris Match, The New York Times, The Village Voice and numerous books and periodicals. She began designing an…

Lester is back. He has a word (or 500) for BLM and his recent appearance on the Heidelcast. Lester than tells you about a wild, wild year in American history - police shootings, riots, looting, suspension of civil liberties, and Russian conspiracy theories - yes, he talks about 1946.

Lester makes a housekeeping announcement and loses track of the name of his show and the number of announcements he has to make. A lot of miscounting going on lately. . .

African civilizations have been well acquainted with luxury before what we know as the modern fashion industry today. In this episode, Taniqua discusses luxury fashion in early Black/African civilizations such as the Kush Empire. Sources/Further Reading: www.blackfashionhistory.comBlack Fashion History

Lester concedes nothing in this short episode for all you short tempered listeners. He tells you why he could not, will not, ever vote for Joe Biden (or anyone like him). He also makes a (few) shameless (shameful?) plugs for his essay - "It's only two dollars and ninety-nine cent!" Lester also questions if it is really true that only 20% of black m…

Sources/Further Reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/business/amsale-aberra-dies.html https://fashionweekdaily.com/bridal-amsale-aberra-died/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x44SUJz4ggwBlack Fashion History

This episode of the Black History Fashion Show covers two titans of black freedom - Richard Allen and Absalom Jones. Two men who demonstrated who demonstrated character, wisdom, and leadership that resounds to this day. Lester covers the origins of the black church and black mutual aid societies. Lester also recalls a time when he was not popular o…

Chris Seydou is known for his pioneering design work with the traditional Malian textile bogolan, also known as the mud cloth. He is referred to as the "Father of African Fashion" and inspired the concept of African couture. Listen to his story. More at www.blackfashionhistory.com Sources/Further Reading: https://www.instagram.com/africanstylearchi…

Lester follows up with his friends B.T. and Jay McDraw about the latest George Floyd news, what they think of BLM now, and what is "The Cause" now after a fiery and bloody and summer. And when it comes to racial issues/police brutality - what constitutes a win?

Sean John was founded in 1998 by Sean "P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Brother Love" Combs and has maintained its relevance into 2020. With the launch of the brand's first-ever womenswear collection debuting on September 29, Taniqua discusses how Sean John changed the face of streetwear and disrupted the fashion industry in the best way possible. Sources/ Fu…

Lester takes a break from the weightier events in Black history to catechize you into the what the Hoop Elders know - namely who are the best 5 players in recent NBA history. Lester, being Lester, also takes a minute (or 10) to take some shots at a pop and sports icon. Caution for those NBA fans under 35: you might need to listen at 1/2 speed so yo…

Elaine "Jae" Jarell is an artist, fashion designer and one of the co-founders of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AFRICOBRA) best known for her one-of-a-kind pieces during the Black Arts Movement. She used her designs to celebrate Black culture and provide positive imagery of and for African Americans. Listen to her story. More at www.b…